State needs Rs 800 cr to restore damages caused by rain: NSDMA

Dimapur, September 1: The Government of Nagaland has estimated an immediate requirement of Rs 800 crores (approx) for restoration of the damages caused by landslides and flash flood in the State in July-August.
A report on the current situation of Nagaland Disaster 2018 prepared by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, Home Department and released ahead of the visit of the Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to the State from September 4 to 7 to assess the damage caused said the unprecedented series of disaster in the State during the monsoon season 2018 have disrupted roads in multiple locations, rendered many homeless, damaged agriculture, etc.
Eleven lives were lost and more than 3000 families displaced in the State owing to floods and numerous landslides, the report said. The unprecedented series of disaster has affected severely 13.19 per cent of the total population of Nagaland and affected severely 48,421 families in 532 villages, it said.
Major developmental efforts of the State have been shattered by the magnitude, complexity and the frequency of disasters in the State. The State capital Kohima and particularly the districts of Tuensang, Kiphire and Phek have been cut off from the rest of the State for about 15 days since the rains became incessant from July 26, the report said.
According to the NSDMA report, many National and State highways have been cut off and many district connectivity roads have become unmotorable. “The impact of the unprecedented monsoon has had far reaching economic consequences as the Government grapples with shortage of essential goods and price rise in the far flung areas of the State,” it said.
On the impact of the situation, the report said the incessant rain especially in Wokha District has led to rise of water level at Doyang hydro-electric dam and severely affected around 91 villagers in Golaghat District of upper Assam causing massive flood.
Also due to severe impact in the infrastructure sector, the coping capacity of the community has been severely affected especially in Kiphire District, Tobu sub-division in Mon District, Tuensang District, Meluri Block in Phek District and capital district of Kohima, it said. There is also lack of essential commodities in the districts of Kiphire, Tobu, Tuensang, Satoi Zunheboto District and Phke Meluri block.
NSDMA said large scale destruction to agriculture crops, cattle and domestic animals and damage of houses has been reported. The infrastructure sector which is severely affected by the landslides due to incessant rain is predicted to continue for the coming 3 months, it said.
On the response of the State Government, the report said the Government with the support of the Indian Air Force from August 3 to 18 airlifted essential commodities and dropped to the affected districts in districts of Peren (Tening), Tuensang (Noksen & Noklak), Mon (Tobu), Phek (Phokhungri, Wuzu) and Kiphire (Pongro, Seyochung), besides giving immediate relief to the affected families.
Multiple sites of affected roads by landslides due to incessant rains have also been restored temporarily, it said.
On emerging needs, the report cited providing essential commodities for the affected families, immediate restoration of road infrastructures severely damaged by landslides in 557 locations and immediate rebuilding of fully, severally and partially 48,821 damaged houses along with shelter material supports. (Page News Service)

Nagaland floods: PM Modi takes stock of situation
New Delhi, September 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to take stock of the situation caused by floods in the state.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi assured Rio of all possible assistance to the rain-battered state.
“Spoke to Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and took stock of the situation in wake of floods in parts of the state. Assured all possible support to the state in rescue and relief operations. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nagaland and pray for everyone’s well being,” he tweeted.
As per reports, incessant rainfall in the last few weeks has flooded several areas of Nagaland. In the wake of this, the state government has reportedly sought an advance amount of Rs 100 crore from the Centre to restore connectivity in the region. (ANI)